Bhutan’s New Hope — Gelephu International Airport

Bhutan received 103,000 tourists in 2023, around two-thirds less than the pre-pandemic record set in 2019.

With a more varied customer base, the new objective is to return to just over 300,000 visitors each year as soon as possible.

Last year’s significant first step was lowering the mandatory daily sustainable development tax to USD 100 per adult, effective untill August 31, 2027.

The global pandemic completely upended the tourism industry, which is still having difficulty recovering from the COVID-19 requirements.

A spokesman for Bhutan tourism quipped, “We believe the tourism sector has an important role in generating employment, earning foreign exchange… and boosting overall economic growth.”

Currently, independent travellers can plan their travels more efficiently and save more money thanks to a new official booking portal.

At least half of the nation’s tourists should come from non-Asian markets, including the US, Europe, and Australia; in the final full year before the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns, almost 73 percent of all arrivals were from Indian tourists.

Happiest Country In The World

This nation is well-known worldwide for its Gross National Happiness Index, or GNH, which gauges citizens’ well-being in terms of everything from health and living conditions to preserving their culture and environment.

The government is aiming to become the first carbon-negative nation in history.

Although it is concerned about the effects of mass tourism and continues to prohibit mountain climbing to protect the sacredness of its peaks, the nation is making a concerted effort to attract more tourists and increase the share of tourism in its USD 3 billion economy from 5 percent to 20 percent.

The concept impacts many facets of Bhutanese society, including environmental preservation, economic growth and governance.

The nation’s commitment to preserving forest cover and reaching carbon negative highlights its strength in becoming a global ecological management leader.  

According to a 2024 Reuters story, 50,000 Bhutanese work in the tourism industry generated USD 84 million annually in foreign exchange earnings three years before the pandemic.

The nation’s expansive views of the Himalayan mountains and its cliffside Buddhist temples attract tourists yearly.

Bhutan is gradually but steadily improving its infrastructure for tourism and connectivity.

Spanking-New Airport

With the impending development of a new international airport in Gelephu, located in the southern part of the country, things are taking shape to support the nation’s economy and tourism industry.

This historic initiative aims to make it simpler for travellers to reach this mysterious location.

In addition to Paro International Airport, the proposed Gelephu International Airport will serve as Bhutan’s second international airport.

Situated in the Sarpang District, Gelephu’s advantageous proximity to the Indian border makes it a perfect hub for improving regional connections.

The project’s anticipated cost is around Nu 20 billion, or USD 240 million.

When Gelephu International Airport opens in 2029, it will revolutionise travel in the Himalayan monarchy.

The design is in partnership with Netherlands Airport Consultants (NACO).

Choice Location

It’s no surprise that Gelephu was the choice location, all thanks to the topography, which allows for longer runways that can handle larger aircraft.

Due to its proximity to India, Gelephu, Bhutan’s leading trading and diplomatic partner, is ideally situated for rail and road connections.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan has spearheaded the Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative.

“This airport is essential for the success of the GMC as a business hub, and it is also a critical lifeline for Bhutan’s national security, especially for a landlocked country,” said the Bhutanese King.

With a population of roughly 750,000, the nation is geared as a pioneer in “high value, low impact” tourism.

The USD 100 daily sustainable development tax that visitors must pay supports Bhutan’s public services, including health care and education.

Mindful Travel

This project is a key part of the USD 100 billion Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) project, which aims to integrate ecological harmony and spiritual contentment into urban planning to address economic issues, including youth unemployment and declining birth rates.

The creative design, with tropical trees offering natural shade throughout the building, will let visitors enjoy Bhutan’s natural surroundings as soon as they arrive.

A woodland courtyard that brings the outdoors indoors will serve as the focal point for the airport’s primary functional elements, which include immigration, security and baggage handling.

Bjarke Ingels, founder and creative director of architectural firm BIG, which is leading the airport’s design, says, “An airport is the first and last impression of a place you visit. For the Gelephu International Airport, we have tried to embody the nature and culture of the country and the Mindfulness City. The forests covering the highlands can flow from the arrival plaza through the airport to the tarmac.”

The construction uses modular mass timber frames, which allow it to be flexible and expand in the future.

From a distance, the airport’s silhouette will blend with the surrounding terrain, resembling a stylised mountain range.

Each of the four zones of the arrival plaza will have native plant species encircling seating spaces where travellers can unwind.

The facility will offer elaborate traditional carvings and colours, creating details that make it characterful.

Different kinds of dragons, which represent the past, present and future, will be incorporated into the decorative elements.

This spiritual element emphasises the nation’s legacy while presenting it as progressive.

The “Kachen” — a wooden pillar in traditional Bhutanese architecture valued for its structural significance and complex artistic elements — will inspire the new facility’s unique features, including intricately painted wood carvings created by local artists.

Accommodating Bigger Aircraft

The airport’s design will handle aircraft like the Airbus A320, A321, and A350. The proposed runway is around 3,500 metres, allowing larger aircraft like the Airbus A380.

With a total area of 731,946 square feet, Gelephu International Airport can accommodate up to 1.3 million people a year and 123 flights a day.

Although these numbers pale compared to major airports like London Heathrow or New York’s JFK, 316,000 visitors in 2019 is a significant accomplishment for this landlocked nation.

International travellers land at Paro International Airport (PBH), near Thimpu, the capital.

Only a few tiny aircraft can fly in or out of Paro daily because of its difficult location between two Himalayan peaks, severe monsoon-season winds and a lack of runway illumination.

These flights are all short-hauls from neighbouring Asian cities like Bangkok and New Delhi.

Bhutan’s economy depends heavily on tourism, which generates sizable employment and national income.

The nation’s tourist policy is “High-Value, Low-Impact” to protect its pristine environment and rich cultural legacy.

With the recent announcement of the new Gelephu Airport, the enhanced airport connection is set to increase tourism through Bhutan’s “high value, low impact” approach, encouraging environmentally conscious and sustainable travel.

This expansion will drive the hotel industry, promoting eco-friendly lodging, wellness facilities and cultural events for discriminating tourists.

Bhutan’s airport is a stunning example of how traditional craftsmanship and contemporary sustainability coexist.

This clever blending of history and environmentally conscious innovation makes Bhutan an even more sustainable and spectacular travel destination.

“Bhutan has officially earned a place at the top of my travel bucket list, and the Gelephu International Airport will be a boon for the country’s economy. It is more than just an airport; it is the starting point for sustainable tourism, economic expansion, and a new era of thoughtful travel. Thanks to improved connectivity, eco-friendly projects, and a touch of Bhutanese flair, this airport is poised to establish Bhutan as a leading destination for environmentally aware travellers and innovative development.”

— Kiranjeet Kaur, Director of Marketing Communications, W Kuala Lumpur.

When the new international airport opens, Bhutan will improve.

It’s a pledge to strengthen the economy, create jobs while preserving the nation’s natural beauty and let the world explore and discover the landlocked destination.

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